Des Moines, IA Crime Rates: Stats & Map

D+

Total crime NAT. AVG.

16%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

Property crime NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.

Des Moines crime rates are not available from the FBI crime report. The FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR), gathers data from more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies. The agencies include city, university, college, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies. When combined, they represent approximately 309 million American residents, or a 98% coverage rate of large metropolitan areas. This does result in approximately 20 million people who live in areas where the FBI does not provide crime reports. These areas tend to be smaller towns, villages or suburbs. Given that Des Moines crime stats are not covered by the FBI crime reports, either data from local enforcement agencies is applied or estimates are calculated based on demographic data including, but not limited to: home prices, income per capita, poverty rates, unemployment rates, educational achievement and population density. The Des Moines crime estimates should be used at your own risk. Please be aware that the data displayed above is estimated and not officially reported by any agency. The Des Moines crime map can also be used to view a visual display of crimes committed on a block group level.
Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Des Moines_{/100k people}	Iowa_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	0	n/a (estimate)	2,421 (estimate)	1,618	2,324
Murder	n/a	n/a	n/a	1.7	6.3
Rape	n/a	n/a	n/a	42.5	40.0
Robbery	n/a	n/a	n/a	21.6	66.1
Assault	n/a	n/a	n/a	220.7	268.2
Violent crime	n/a	n/a (estimate)	428 (estimate)	287	370
Burglary	n/a	n/a	n/a	218.6	269.8
Theft	n/a	n/a	n/a	965.4	1,401.9
Vehicle theft	n/a	n/a	n/a	147.4	282.7
Property crime	n/a	n/a (estimate)	1,993 (estimate)	1,332	1,954

Des Moines crime map

The Des Moines crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Des Moines as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Des Moines crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Des Moines crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.

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Crime Quick Facts

Des Moines crime rates are 4% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Des Moines are 16% higher than the national average
In Des Moines you have a 1 in 42 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Des Moines is safer than 23% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Des Moines has decreased by 36%

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Daily Crime In Des Moines (per 100,000 people)

How Safe is Des Moines (higher is better)

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Des Moines

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Des Moines is 1 in 234

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Des Moines is 1 in 51

The chance of being a victim of crime in Des Moines is 1 in 42

Year Over Year Crime In Des Moines (per 100,000 people)

Des Moines police department

Item	Des Moines	Iowa	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	500	3,827	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	n/a	1.8	3.3

Sex offenders in Iowa

State	Total offenders	Iowa_/100K	National_/100K
Iowa	6,040	205	266

There are a total of 6,040 sex offenders in Iowa. This yields a total of 205 sex offenders in Iowa per 100,000 residents which is 23% less than the national average.

Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Norwalk, IA	11,467	56	210	266
Polk City, IA	4,797	68	287	355
Granger, IA	1,890	73	340	413
Saylorville, IA	2,743	102	473	575
Cumming, IA	536	116	538	654
Johnston, IA	22,077	70	650	720
Mitchellville, IA	2,382	130	604	733
Des Moines, IA	215,408	428	1,993	2,421

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Tacoma, WA	215,766	1,610	8,540	10,149
Enterprise, NV	214,591	418	2,191	2,609
Modesto, CA	214,485	762	2,403	3,165
San Bernardino, CA	216,784	1,186	2,955	4,141
Fontana, CA	212,704	287	1,287	1,574
Des Moines, IA	215,408	428	1,993	2,421

Source: The Des Moines, IA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.